Neck Pain & Headaches Relief

David D., Louisville, KY

My wife was having horrible back pain from a bulged disc. We visited the friendly staff and they were able to have her up and walking with very little pain in just two visits! We are still visiting to finish up the rest of her therapy. Lacey is one of the most caring person I have ever met! Two thumbs up for sure to her and the staff!

Your neck is one of the most complex bundles of bones, nerves, and muscles in your entire body. In fact, your neck is the site of a series of nerves that control every facial and head movement you make, as well as all sensation below your shoulders. It’s no wonder why neck pain and any resulting headaches are cause for concern, especially when you cannot immediately identify their cause. Whether your neck pain is chronic or acute, sharp or dull, caused by injury or originating from an unknown cause, one fact remains: It cannot be ignored. To begin uncovering the source of your pain and addressing its resolution, contact our office today.

What Causes Pain in Neck?

Your head is connected to your spine through a series of nerves and muscles and two tiny bones called the atlas and axis. The way these bones move together determines your head’s ability to move up and down or side to side. Tendons and ligaments add stability to your neck while muscles alternately tense and relax to allow for it to move. Tension, injury, poor posture or stress can cause pain to develop in your neck. The most important step to treating your pain with physical therapy is to identify its cause.

Common causes of neck pain include:

Whiplash, as from a car accident or similar injury

Poor posture

Repeated motion

Tension build-up

Direct injury

How are Neck Pain and Headaches Related?

Since the neck is home to the cervical plexus, eight spinal nerves that branch into the cerebral column, pain that starts in the neck will often travel to the shoulders, back, and head. This is the biggest reason why neck pain is commonly associated with headaches of all types, including migraines. In some cases, chronic headaches may be caused by neck and upper back pain. In these circumstances, utilizing physical therapy to address neck pain can resolve frequent and severe headaches.

How Physical Therapy Helps Neck Pain and Headaches

Most of the time, your first thought for treating a headache or pain in your neck isn’t physical therapy. You may first try pain-relieving medications, massage, or even changing the way you sit or work. However, chronic headaches are often an indicator of a much bigger problem than what you can fix on your own.
Your physical therapist will complete a thorough examination that is aimed at determining the root cause of your neck pain and chronic headaches.

A physical therapist is a musculoskeletal expert that has a variety of evidence-based treatment techniques to help you address neck pain and headaches. Through targeted exercise, a physical therapist can help you improve your strength, posture, and range of motion. In many cases, these exercises are more effective at treating neck pain than prescription pain medication.

No one needs to suffer from neck pain long term. Whether you have acute or chronic headaches or dull or sharp neck pain, now is the time to have it addressed. The sooner you see a physical therapist, the sooner you can start on the road to recovery. Don’t let neck pain stop you for another day. Get the best neck pain relief treatment. Contact Us Today at Louisville, KY Center for a consultation.